Tables that allow you to compare these materials at a glance in all key areas

An introduction to each material, its construction and options

Pros and cons such as durability/longevity, maintenance and repair requirements and appearance including the home styles that each siding types is best suited to

Final summaries that might help you make your decision

Tips for saving money on a siding project

Cost

Siding Type

Materials

Installation

Total Cost per sq.ft.

Vinyl

$2.55 – $4.50

$1.60 – $4.00

$4.15 – $8.50

Aluminum & Steel

$3.15 – $5.65

$1.95 – $5.00

$5.20 – $10.65

Fiber Cement & Composite

$1.80 – $5.50

$4.00 – $6.50

$5.80 – $12.00

Wood

$2.35 – $7.50

$1.80 – $6.50

$4.15 – $14.00

Stucco

$4.90 – $6.50

$3.00 – $6.00

$7.90 – $12.50

Brick & Stone Veneer

$7.35 – $15.00

$6.30 – $11.00

$14.65 – $26.00

Faux Stone

$6.15 – $20.00

$8.55 – $11.00

$14.70 – $31.00

Breakdown of costs by materials and installation

* The materials column in the table above includes siding, trim and the supplies needed to install it.

* The installation column in the table above reflects the cost of professional labor.

The last column is the total installed cost for comparison.

Note: Each siding type in the table above is normally available in a wide range of quality and style options that affect material costs. Installation ranges from easy to difficult due to onsite factors which affect installation cost. Your project’s geography and local economy will also have a major impact on costs.

Types of Siding Material

This table summarizes the information in this section:

Siding Type

Options

Weatherproof

Durability

Vinyl

Excellent

Good

20-30 years

Aluminum & Steel

Good

Good

30-50 years

Fiber Cement & Composite

Good

Good

35-50 years

Wood

Excellent

Fair

50+

Stucco

Fair

Good

50+

Brick & Stone

Good

Excellent

75+

Faux Stone

Good

Good

30-50 years

The next section provides more details for each siding type, including its options and pros and cons.

Vinyl Siding

This is an extruded plastic material made from PVC resin for durability and resistance to the elements. The material is tinted in the production process, so the color goes all the way through.

There are three appearance options: Horizontal, vertical and shingle/shake panels.

In recent years, fiber cement siding has emerged as a viable and attractive alternative to the less-costly and more common vinyl siding.

Hardieplank fiber cement lap siding on a house

In this guide, we’ll explore the costs and pros and cons of fiber cement siding for residential retrofits in 2018.

Cost

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $6.00 to $11.50 per square foot or $600 to $1,150 per square to install fiber cement siding on a typical house. A square is equal to 100 square feet.

The cost of professional installation will include all the necessary materials, labor, permitting, debris removal and disposal, and warranty.

That being said, a typical fiber cement siding job (such as new HardiePlank or Allura lap siding) on average will cost between $12,500 to $25,000 to complete.

The actual price for the job will vary with the size of the house, overall level of job difficulty, accessibility, and location. All things being equal, booming metro areas will be pricier than remote rural areas.

Note: On residential retrofits and exterior remodeling projects, a typical fiber cement siding installation will involve the removal and disposal of existing siding, thus adding an additional cost to the project.

Pro Tip: All fiber cement siding installations should include a weather-resistant barrier to allow the building to breathe and help prevent mold and mildew growth.

Example of a Typical Job Estimate

For instance, at an average cost of $800.00 per square (100 square feet), it will cost about $16,000 to install about 2,000 sq. ft. or 20 squares of fiber cement siding on a typical two-story house.

Your home’s location and the company you choose to hire will have a major influence on the total cost of your project.

Material Costs

The price for fiber cement siding will vary depending on thickness of the panels – from 7/16 of an inch to one inch and the finish and styling chosen. Fiber cement siding such as HardiePlank® Lap Siding is sold in panels and traditional clapboards. Clapboards range from 4 inches to 12 inches wide. A standard length is 12 feet. The finish can be smooth, wood-grained or rough-sawn.

Fiber cement can also be shaped like siding shakes and shingles that are produced in strips or individual pieces. For instance, HardieShingle® siding is designed to replicate the look of cedar shingle siding often installed on Cape Cod-style homes, relaxed cottages, or ranch-style homes in a wooded setting.

Styles can include wood-grain and hand-split in 4-, 8- and 12-foot strips that are set in straight or staggered courses. Fiber cement in any configuration can be custom-fabricated for climate specificity.

Expect to pay from $150 per square (100 square feet) to $300 per square in material costs.

Installation Costs

Hardie Plank Fiber Cement Siding on a Cottage style home

Installation will cost between $300 and $850 per square (100 sq. ft.) depending on the complexity of the job, your location, and the company you choose to hire.

Fiber cement siding is heavy – about 2.5 pounds per square foot – and delicate. It is also flexible.

Did you Know? Carrying fiber cement siding around a job site is a two-man job so it will not crack and panels should always be transported vertically and not horizontally to again guard against cracking.

Toss in specialized tools and fasteners, unique cutting requirements and an expertise in not over-driving the fasteners into the studs, and the installation of fiber cement siding becomes a job best saved for professional installers.

ROI and Recouped Value

Last year, fiber cement siding installations resulted in an average of 80% to 85% in recouped value (cost-to-value return at a resale), making it one of the best-valued exterior remodeling upgrades of the year.

This guide covers the HardiePlank vs. LP SmartSide comparison from all angles that matter to a homeowner – Looks, durability, cost of materials and installation, and more. We’ll uncover the differences between the two and explain which one fits your project requirements better.

Note: This guide assumes a basic knowledge of fiber cement siding. If you’d like to back up a step, our extensive list of consumer guides on this material can be found by searching for Fiber Cement.

Let’s get to the subject at hand: HardiePlank vs. LP SmartSide siding:

Material Composition

Both materials are engineered rather than naturally occurring.

HardiePlank Construction: The James Hardie company blends cement, fine sand, wood fibers and water to form HardiePlank siding. The cement gives it strength and impact resistance, while the fibers hold the cement together to prevent cracking. The materials are naturally resistant to rot and insects.

LP SmartSide Construction: LP Building Products makes SmartSide siding from wood strands that have been coated with wax for moisture resistance and bonded with resin and other binders.

Zinc-borate SmartGuard solution is added to protect against rot and insect infestation. The coated fibers are compressed for hardness and durability. Planks are finished with a resin-saturated overlay.

Appearance Comparison

These are very attractive siding products made in a range of options.

HardiePlank appearance: There are four series of HardiePlank siding. They are Cedarmill plain and beaded and Smooth plain and beaded. The cedar-style siding has an open-grain finish. Each of the series is available in more than 15 colors, and all are applied with Hardie’s baked-on ColorPlus technology. HardieTrim boards are often used to complete the installation.

LP has a unique program of selling unfinished siding to qualified prefinishers that put a finish coat on the material for retail sale. As a result, LP SmartSide lap siding is available in dozens of colors.

Some of the LP Preferred prefinishers are Diamond Kote, Coastal Coatings, PSPI and Northwest Factory Finishes. Primed LP SmartSide is available at a lower cost and is ready for you to paint.